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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When Augustine focuses on one of the types of criticism he expects to receive, what does he suggest to the reader?
(a) That these types of critics, if they gather a following around their criticism, are dangerously close to practicing heresy.
(b) That these types of critics are a threat to the true Church.
(c) That these types of critics are stagnant in their thoughts and threaten to limit the influence of Divine guidance.
(d) That these types of critics will either understand Scripture or believe they do.

2. What is Augustine's perception of God's dispensation of "special gifts" of interpreting Scripture?
(a) That they follow miraculous events.
(b) That they precede periods of peace and prosperity.
(c) Dispensing of such gifts is atypical.
(d) That they follow periods of oppression of those seeking His blessings.

3. To what does Augustine compare his distinction of things?
(a) To that between human nature and original sin.
(b) To that between critics who do not understand and critics who believe in "special gifts."
(c) To that between instrumental and intrinsic good.
(d) To that between God and Lucifer.

4. How does Augustine relate Truth and God?
(a) God creates things and things can be used to prove truth.
(b) Truth is based upon an unchanging standard and God is that unchanging standard.
(c) God creates things and Truth, but the way humans use things and accept Truth determines whether humans enjoy the experience.
(d) God created truth, but humans misuse things to reject truth.

5. What was the first type of criticism Augustine suggests his work "On Christian Doctrine" would face?
(a) Criticism that blending Greek and Christian philosophies was heretical.
(b) Criticism from those who cannot grasp his teaching.
(c) Criticism that his demands for linguistic studies were too exclusive.
(d) Criticism that his moral demands would be restricted to pagan converts.

6. What is the logical inconsistency of the critics that Augustine confronts in the Preface?
(a) If these critics believe that Scripture can only be learned through "special gifts," and God wants everyone to know scriptures, then why doesn't everyone have "special gifts"?
(b) If these critics believe learning only comes through the possession of "special gifts," why do they teach?
(c) If learning only comes through community, why does Scripture encourage separation for prayer?
(d) If these critics believe they need no training, why are they reviewing Augustine's works?

7. What is the step that Augustine identifies an individual should take before entering into a proper relationship with God?
(a) An individual must sell all possessions and give the money to the Priest.
(b) An individual's eyes must be purged and God's plan and healing must be followed.
(c) An individual must repent of their sins and be baptized.
(d) An individual must leave their mother and father and cleave to the Church.

8. What was the second type of criticism that Augustine suggests "On Christian Doctrine" would face?
(a) Criticism from those who claim that Augustine relied too much on training and not enough on divine guidance.
(b) Criticism from those who refuse or are unable to apply it.
(c) Criticism from those who claim too many Christians could not access proper training.
(d) Criticism from those who face punishment if they try to apply it.

9. What basic fact do the critics discussed in the Preface ignore by discounting teaching from Augustine and others?
(a) Trial and error application often give non-Christians the opportunity to "mock God."
(b) The fact that they learned important tools, such as the alphabet, from other humans.
(c) Many writers have intensely studied Scriptures and have left their impressions for their use.
(d) The works of writers closer to the time of the authors of Scripture are frequently incomplete, disjointed, and often unverifiable.

10. How does Augustine expect to get the knowledge that he lacks?
(a) He will extensively study in the library at Hippo Regius.
(b) He will collaborate with members of his church community.
(c) God will give him the knowledge that he lacks.
(d) He will confer closely with other learned Priests.

11. What other subject does Augustine addresses in Book Three and Book Four?
(a) Understanding how scripture develops community.
(b) Understanding how to learn from Scripture.
(c) Teaching the doctrines of Scripture.
(d) Understanding how to convey what one learned from Scripture.

12. What are the three things that Augustine claims that interpretations of Scripture should build up?
(a) Special gifts, community, and signs.
(b) Faith, hope and love.
(c) The inner eye, love, and illuminated truth.
(d) Hope, signs, and the inner eye.

13. In Augustine's example, how can something used also be enjoyed?
(a) Friends who gather for community can enjoy the delicious meal.
(b) A friend with the special gift to cook a delicious meal can be enjoyed for their company.
(c) The shine and sturdiness of a pot or pan can be enjoyed.
(d) The community that develops for a delicious meal can be enjoyed.

14. What items or situations does Augustine use to illustrate his distinction of things?
(a) A good meal and a pot.
(b) The fall of Adam in Genesis and the murder of Able by Cain.
(c) The questions from critics who do not understand and the examples of what is perceived to be special gifts.
(d) The relationship between God and Lucifer from the story of Job.

15. What does Augustine identify as the relationship between all other things and the object of ultimate worship?
(a) All other things are used as a means to enjoy the Trinity.
(b) Other things are intended to be used as a means of exhibiting Christian love.
(c) Other things are intended to be used as a means of exhibiting Christian love.
(d) All other things can be used for God's purposes through the application of special gifts.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the subject that Augustine addresses in Book One and Book Two?

2. What setting does Augustine recommend for sound Scriptural learning?

3. What are the three things Augustine identifies as how God inspires His children?

4. What was the third type of criticism that Augustine suggests "On Christian Doctrine" would face?

5. What does Augustine claim is the consequence of refusing to learn in a proper setting for Scriptural learning?

(see the answer keys)

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